Chicken and Spinach Fritters

I love a good fritter! Crispy, crunchy, salty and savoury. Yum.

The good thing about fritters is that they are a great budget meal that is kid friendly too. Use up your leftover meat and veg and make them stretch further.

These Chicken and Spinach Fritters are a bit different to your regular flour/egg/milk fritter and the texture is amazing – crispy and crunchy on the outside and soft and cheesy in the middle.

If you like lots of flavour, add some herbs, spring onions or garlic but they are nice and plain for kids as they are.

Inspired and adapted from this recipe at Natasha’s Kitchen.

Chicken and Spinach Fritters

gluten free, nut free

500g organic chicken mince

1/2 cup gluten free plain flour

2 eggs, whisked

1/3 cup mayonnaise (homemade or choose a good quality one)

1 cup grated tasty cheese (watch out for additives)

1 cup shredded spinach

1/2 tablespoon Herbamare or good quality salt to taste

black pepper to taste

cooking fat/oil

This is what you do:

Whack everything in a bowl and mix it up well.

Heat a cast iron frypan over a medium to medium high heat with your choice of fat or oil.

Just make sure you use about two to three tablespoons so the fritters don’t stick.

Add about 1/4 cup scoops of chicken mixture to the pan.

Cook for around three minutes and then flip and cook another three minutes or until cooked all the way through.

Keep fritters warm until you have cooked them all.

Serve with homemade roasted tomato sauce and a big green salad.

This mix makes around 10-12 fritters.

Good quality mayonnaise without seed oils is hard to find unless you make it yourself. I use this one as it uses olive oil and some other amazing ingredients that are good for you!

My whole family thought these fritters were really tasty. You could add in some finely diced leftover vegetables or experiment with different cheeses too.

These fritters are really nice cold, so make a few mini ones for the lunch box the next day.

If you make them, take a photo and show me on Facebook!

Easy Coconut Biccies

April 22, 2015 · 13 Comments

I am loving these Easy Coconut Biccies.

They are perfect for lunchboxes as they have no nuts! Also great when you have a bare pantry – you only need four ingredients and they are so, so easy to throw together.

Feel free to add in your own bits and pieces – I have made them before with a mixture of dried fruit and some healthier choc chips would be yummo too. You may want to add in a little drizzle of honey and maple syrup if you like a really sweet biscuit, but I think the sultanas make them sweet enough.

Easy Coconut Biccies

Vital Stats: grain free, gluten free, dairy free, nut free, refined sugar free, paleo

Okay, this is what you need:

2 cups organic dessicated coconut

2 organic eggs

1 cup organic sultanas

1 teaspoon organic cinnamon

1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

HOT TIP: Using organic coconut and fruit means you don’t have to worry about added sulphur dioxide. Read more here.

Okay, this is how you do it:

Preheat your oven to 180°c on a gentle setting. Fan force is too harsh for these little babies.

Mix everything together – I like to get my hands in there and give it a good massage to distribute the egg properly.

Squeeze into round biccies, about the size of a walnut. It will make about 15.

Whack on your baking paper lined tray and fling into the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they are just set and lightly brown. Keep an eye on them!

Leave to cool on the tray to firm up. Enjoy!

HOT TIP: I love the If You Care Baking paper to cook with. It is unbleached and 100% chlorine free. I even wash it and reuse if it’s not too yucky. Your regular baking paper can contain chromium (a heavy metal).

The Best Lunchboxes for Kids

January 12, 2015 · 20 Comments

The Best Lunchboxes for Kids

It’s nearly back to school time again!

If you need to update your lunchboxes, check out my round up of the best lunchboxes for kids. Depending on the age of your child, your budget and your preferences, there are lunchboxes for everyone!

♥ Planetbox

These lunchboxes are so popular and with good reason! They are the ultimate in waste free, safe lunchboxes. Made from 100% great quality stainless steel, they are able to go in the dishwasher. There are lots of different sizes and options to suit your child’s appetite.

PlanetBox is designed to keep foods from “touching each other.” When you close the PlanetBox the top and the bottom meet so that foods will not co-mingle, even when carried and stored on its side. The seal on the PlanetBox itself is not designed to hold wet, messy foods like yogurt, dips, and applesauce. The Dipper included is the best option to use for foods such as these. They have a silicone rubber seal that engages when placed inside the PlanetBox to create a tight leak-proof seal.

Get Planetbox online here.

♥ Cheeki Leakproof

This is what mums everywhere have been waiting for and wanting. A stainless steel lunchbox that is affordable and leak proof!!

This new one from Cheeki is double layered and has a silicone seal under the lid (which doesn’t touch your food) – genius. There are three variations: double stacked, regular and large so you can find a size that suits you.

Get Cheeki leakproof lunch boxes here.

♥ Lunchbots Quads

These stainless steel lunchboxes from Lunchbots are great for waste free lunches. Made of the highest grade stainless steel, you can get them with or without a protective, colourful cover. They are easy to clean, easy to open, virtually unbreakable and will not rust or stain. They are not watertight, so best for snacks without a lot of juice!

Get Lunchbots online here.

♥ Yumbox

One of the only lunch boxes that is leakproof! The Yumbox has five different 1/2 cup compartments and a little dipper. It has one lid to seal it all up. Yoghurt, dip and sauces will be not leak out! It has a kid-friendly latch and is designed for toddlers upwards.

Made from food safe materials, it is BPA and phthalate free, dishwasher safe and durable. Yumbox comes in pink, green, purple and blue and they also fit snugly into the the seriously cute So Young lunchbags.

Get Yumbox online here.

♥ Goodbyn

Goodybn lunchboxes come in a range of colours and sizes. They are a great waste-free lunchbox, with separate compartments and one lid. The lunchboxes are made from safe plastic – #5 PP (polypropylene) – one of the most benign plastics on the market and 100% FDA approved materials . There is no lead, BPA, phthalates or PVC and they are totally 100% recyclable.

It’s a sturdy lunchbox and you can get extra accessories like a leak proof dipper container, ice bricks, stickers and insulated lunch bags.

Shop Goodbyn online here.

Have a great back to school!

Best ever healthy lunch box tips!

January 23, 2014 · 16 Comments

Best ever healthy lunch box tips!

There are so many great resources out there, I just had to round them all up for you to have a read! Please leave me links and comments with your top tips for healthy lunch boxes.

Join the nude food revolution over at Down to Earth Mother.

Find out how to reduce lunchbox stress in 7 easy ways with Brenda Janschek.

Louise at Meal Planning Your Way shares her

back to school lunchbox formula.

Your solution to boring lunchboxes from Melissa at Frugal and Thriving.

The Organised Housewife with some tips for packing a healthy lunchbox.

And make sure you are following my Pinterest board, Back to School!

30 Super Healthy Lunch Box Snacks

January 18, 2014 · 67 Comments

30 Super Healthy Lunch Box Snacks

If I could encourage parents to do one thing, it would be to take a little time to make some real food snacks for their children’s lunch boxes. Less packet food and more whole food makes a huge difference to kid’s health.

I hope you find some inspiration with these 30 super healthy lunch box snacks!

I would love you to add to the list, so please leave me comments and links!

Okay, let’s go…..

1. Fruit Kebabs.

Because everything is more fun when you put it on a stick! Use paddle pop sticks for littlies to avoid accidents with pointy skewers! If your kids are really fussy, some fun shapes might be needed.

2. Popcorn.

It’s a wholegrain and surprisingly healthy! Just don’t buy the microwave packets – buy an organic popcorn and pop it in some coconut oil or use a popcorn machine. Jazz it up a bit with Herbamare, organic spice mixes or try my Salted Caramel Popcorn.

3. Trail Mix.

Have fun with the kids making up your own combos of dried fruit, seeds, coconut and nuts (if allowed). Make them into Quirky Cooking’s Trail Mix Clusters. Just make sure the dried fruit you are eating is safe.

4. Apple Snax.

Soooo cool! Use a little lemon juice to stop the apple from browning, sandwich together for ease of transport and use seed butters or homemade nutella if your school is no-nuts! Inspired by Justina Blakeney.

5. Custard.

Homemade custard with a healthy sugar and organic ingredients is so much better for your kids than the supermarket variety! Try this dairy-free Strawberry Coconut Custard recipe from Iwa at Additive Free Bites. Yum!

6. Bliss Balls.

A powerhouse of nutrition in a single bite (or two)! Check out my Amazeballs! 10 Amazing Bliss Balls post for recipe inpsiration. The Apricot Muesli Balls are pretty good too!

7. Cheese Puffs.

A totally brilliant recipe from Vegie Smugglers for the kids who like savoury stuff. Add in a heap of vegetables and some Vital Veggie Power and the kids are eating super healthy!

8. Crackers.

Be wary of store-bought crackers. They are a minefield of canola oil, additives (including msg) and refined salt. We love the easy seed crackers recipe – easy to make and nut free!

HOT TIP: If your school has a nut-free policy, try substituting seeds for nuts in recipes. Sunflower seeds make great ‘butter’ and flour!

9. Muffins.

Who doesn’t love a muffin? Make sure they are homemade though, to avoid all the nasties! I have 10 Healthy Muffin recipes for you on the blog to get you started.

10. Yoghurt.

Again, homemade is best – make a big batch, add some fresh fruit puree and pop it into reusable containers or squeeze pouches. If you are dairy-free, it’s easy to make your own coconut yoghurt at home!

11. Apple Slinkies.

One of the best inventions ever! Why fruit is more appealing in a slinky shape, I have no clue. But, hey, whatever works. Lisa from Happy Tummies says she keeps the core in and skin on and they don’t go brown.

12. Banana Bread.

So incredibly tasty, healthy and popular with kids. I have heaps of banana bread recipes for some inspiration.

13. Vege Sticks and Dip.

Kids like a dip! Choose the veges your kids will eat or cut them into shapes if you need too. Baby qukes, snowpeas and cherry tomatoes are all sweet and tasty. Add a healthy, homemade dip and away you go. You could try my Easy Green Dip or the Wholefood Mama’s Carrot Hommus. For easy transport, pop the dip in the bottom of a small jar and fill with veges!

14. Scrolls.

So, a scroll is basically a scone dough, rolled out into a rectangle shape, sprinkled with toppings, rolled up, sliced and baked in a hot oven. Adapt the flours and ingredients to suit your needs! Make them savoury with veges, tomato paste and cheese or sweet with homemade nutella or fruits. Try these Pumpkin Cheesymite Scrolls from Lisa at Happy Tummies.

15. Muesli Bars.

Making your own muesli bars at home is so economical and tasty! Try my Blueberry Breakfast Slice, Easy Muesli Bars, Date and Oat Bars or my Gluten Free, Nut Free Muesli Bars.

16. Kale Chips.

They are all the rage and they are incredibly nutritious. Find out how to make them at my Kale Chips… what’s the go? post. My Sweet Potato Chips are also pretty good cold if the kids won’t come at anything green.

17. Pikelets.

Yum. Try these Blueberry Buckwheat Pikelets from the always delicious Veggie Mama. They are gluten-free! Or if you know how to market it right, the green pancakes are also fantastic!

18. Smoothies.

Great for kids who struggle to eat lunch. Pop a smoothie in a small jar or thermos and your kids get a whole lot of nutrients in a drink! Make a green smoothie or try my Choc Banana Protein Smoothie.

19. Apricot Coconut Slice.

A tasty little morsel for kids – the real food version of thehealth food aisle packet snack! It’s a quick, no bake snack you can make in a hurry. Apricot coconut slice is a winner in our house!

HOT TIP! Save yourself a heap of time and energy by making double or triple batches of healthy snacks and freezing them. Pop them in the lunch boxes straight from the freezer.

20. Cake.

Let them eat cake. Seriously. But don’t buy it, make it with whole foods.

21. Roasted Chickpeas.

Just soak a packet of organic chickpeas overnight. Rinse well, add some coconut oil or macadamia oil and your choice of seasoning. Roast in a moderate oven for about an hour or until really crispy. Very yummy!

22. Biscuits.

There is such a thing as a healthy biscuit! Try my Coconut Biccies or the 2 Ingredient Biscuits for inspiration.

23. Granola.

Granola is simply muesli that you whack in the oven with a little honey or maple syrup until it’s nice and crunchy. You can make it with all sorts of yummy things and it makes a great little snack.

24. Boiled Eggs.

A perfect snack for little hands! If you want, you can make them into fancy shapes with bento tools or just a wooden spoon!

25. Jazzed Up Dates.

Get medjool (fresh) dates or dried dates, spread with nut or seed butter or homemade nutella and then roll in coconut. Wedge a few almonds into a date and it will look like a cute turtle!

26. Raw Popcorn/Cauliflower Bites.

A super healthy snack – cheesey, dehydrated, raw cauliflower pieces from Sarah at The Raw Food Mum. Get the recipe here.

27. Apple Thins.

A brilliant recipe from Jane at Marinya Cottage Kitchen. Part cracker, part biscuit, all yum. They are free from grain, gluten, egg, dairy, nuts and refined sugar! Win.

28. Mini Fritters.

I’ve seen many vege-hating kids happily hoover up a vege fritter! Make them according to your tastes – they are easy to make gluten and dairy free. I love the fun face presentation of these ones at Taste. Just press on your veges to make cute faces before you flip them. If you have a thermomix, Taryn shows you how simple and quick they are to make with her Very Veggie Fritters recipe.

29. Homemade Banana Chips.

These taste like lollies! Sooo good! Just pop a little fruit juice or coconut oil onto banana slices and bake in a low oven or dehydrator until dried out. Store in an air-tight container.

30. Packet Snacks

Sometimes you just need a packet snack when time is short or the kids want a treat. There are some great crap-free superfood bars on the market now – have a read of the ingredients first though!

I also love these Bone Broth Strips! Savoury, chewy deliciousness with just real, nutrient-dense ingredients.

Want more? Check out:

20 Nut Free Lunchbox Snacks

Healthy Lunchbox Tips

15 Healthy Lunchbox Meals (and none of them are sandwiches)

The Best Lunchboxes for Kids

30 Super Healthy Lunch Box Snacks

Stickybeaks Lunch Bag Giveaway!

January 17, 2014 · 46 Comments

The lovely girls at Stickybeaks are joining in the back to school fun this week and giving away some of their fabulous lunch bags!!

So, who are Stickybeaks?

Stickybeaks are an Aussie owned business, started by four mums who were looking for an eco-friendly alternative to all those paper bags used to order tuckshop lunches.

So, what’s the problem with paper bags?

Well, they are a single use item and many trees are cut down and resources used to make them and transport them. Although they are recyclable, there are many that don’t get recycled and they end up adding to landfill. They are also prone to getting wet and tearing and don’t have a safe, hygienic option for money.

Instead of a single use paper bag, Stickybeaks bags can be used over and over again for tuckshop orders. They are really durable and strong and made of the same material as green bags.

How does it work?

Being school mums, these ladies have thought of everything. The lunch order is written on a slip of paper and inserted into the plastic window. Money is kept hygienically separate in a zippered section.

I love that you can print out free lunch order slips and name tags on the website. They have also thought of the tuckshop staff and they stand up on their own for easy packing and handling. Great idea.

You can get the lunch bags with different coloured edging, so each child in the family can have their own bag (although sometimes it’s easier to get all the one colour to avoid fights… you know what I am talking about, right mums?).

The wallet style folds up quite small but still holds more than a paper bag.

The insulated all-rounder is a good option if you need to keep the food hot or cold.

My kids both used them and liked them. They are easy to clean, just needing a wipe out and I love that they are black so they don’t look scruffy after a bit of use!

I also really love the absolutely brilliant fundraising option they have. What a great idea for getting much needed funds for the school, avoiding junk food fundraisers and being eco-friendly all at the same time. The Stickybeak’s mums will give you a discounted price, a flat rate for postage and lots of help to run an easy, successful fundraiser. If you are ordering just for yourself, the postage is free!

They are in 600 schools across Australia already. Impressive.

Giveaway:

**this giveaway has now close – the winners are Anna and Cassy – congratulations!!**

So, the lovely ladies at Stickybeaks are giving away 2 prize packs for you guys to try out. Each pack contains a lunch wallet and an insulated all rounder.

How to enter:

◊ Make sure you are a blog subscriber (add your email over on the right)

◊ Like the Stickybeaks Facebook Page. Go here.

◊ Comment on this blog post letting us know why you would like to win a Stickybeak’s prize pack.

[box] Terms and conditions: This giveaway will close at midnite (AEST) on Friday the 24th of January. Winners will be chosen using random.org from those fulfilling the entry requirements. Winners will be emailed and announced on this blog post. Sorry, Australian residents only.[/box]

Good luck everyone!!

Make Contact:

Website: www.stickybeaks.com

Facebook: Stickybeaks

Phone: 0401 082-960

Email: enquiries@stickybeaks.com.au

2 Ingredient Biscuits

January 14, 2014 · 37 Comments

I know I am a bit slow on the uptake but…… I finally got around to making the famous “2 ingredient” biscuits that are all over the internet!

I thought I would road-test them for any of you who haven’t tried them out yet. Anyone? Anyone?

So, what’s the verdict? Yes, they really are easy and yes, they do taste yummy and yes, it does work just fine!

Just 2 ingredients are required, but you can then add in whatever other ingredients you like to jazz them up. I had a play around with a few ingredients and quantities and this is my version of the famous biccy.

2 Ingredient Biscuits

Vital Stats: wheat free, dairy free, nut free, egg free, can be gluten free

Okay, so this is what you need:

2 medium sized ripe bananas

1 cup organic rolled oats

optional – your choice of add ins

HOT TIP: I never use quick oats as they have a higher GI than regular oats!

Okay, so this is how you do it:

Preheat the oven to 180°celsius and line a biscuit tray with non-toxic baking paper.

Mash the bananas and then add the oats. That’s it! Easy, huh?

You can also make them in the thermomix – whizz banana on speed 5 for 10 seconds. Add oats and mix on reverse, speed 5 for 10 seconds or until combined.

Shape into walnut sized balls with your hands or a teaspoon. Flatten down slightly.

Bake for around 15 minutes or until the biscuits firm up.

I got 15 small biscuits from this mixture.

Store in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container.

There you have it – 2 ingredient biscuits!

HOT TIP! Make a double batch and freeze for school lunches!

Jazz up your biccy!

While my daughter liked the plain biscuit, the rest of us thought the jazzed up ones were nicer.

Let your imagination go wild and add in whatever you like!

The three I did were:

Chocolate: cacao powder and cacao nibs

Superfood: goji berries and chia seeds

Fruit ‘n Spice: grated apple, sultanas and cinnamon

I think they at least need some vanilla or cinnamon in them for a little flavour. If your kids have a really sweet tooth, you may need to add in a little raw honey or maple syrup.

Here are some more ideas for the add ins:

* shredded coconut, dried fruits, seeds, nuts, spices, vanilla, superfood powders, grated vegetables or fruits

This is a fantastic recipe to start the kids on learning to cook. It’s so easy and they can have fun making their own combinations up.

I would love to know if you have made these and what your add ins are. Please share!

HOT TIP! These are perfect for a grab and go breakfast!

12 Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School

January 13, 2014 · 14 Comments

12 Tips for a Stress-Free Back to School

Whether your kids are heading to school for the first time, starting high school or changing schools, it can often be accompanied by a little bit of stress and anxiety.

I am not just talking the kids here either – many of us mums feel very anxious and a bit teary about sending our precious bundles off the school!

I feel like a veteran school mum with one child heading to Year 12 and the other in his third year of uni. Where does the time go?

Here are my top tips to make back to school calm and stress-free!

1. Be positive

Whenever you are talking about school, keep a positive attitude. Kids will quickly pick up any anxiety or negativity you might be feeling about it. Talk about all the fun things you used to do at school and all the friends you made.

2. Pack a yummy lunch

Pack something your child loves to eat for the first day so they are looking forward to it.

3. Do a reccy (reconnaissance mission)

If you are able, get permission to visit the school in the holidays. Hang out on the swings, stroll around the buildings, find the toilets and get familiar with the layout before the big day. Most places will have an orientation day, but visiting when its quiet can make a difference.

4. Aromatherapy oils

Put a drop or two of essential oils on a hanky for your child to sniff if they are feeling a little anxious. Try 123 Nourish Me’s Calm Down and Confidence roll ons specifically designed for kids!

Mums, don’t forget to do the same for yourself!

5. Buddy up

See if you can find someone who will be in your child’s class. Have them over for a play date before-hand to get friendly and chat about school. Encourage them to look out for each other on the day.

6. Keep it simple

Make sure bags, bottles and lunch boxes are easy to access for little fingers. It’s not much fun struggling with layers of clingwrap to get to your lunch! Try these brilliant, reusable sandwich and snack pockets that have velcro closures.

7. After-school fun

Although they will most likely be exhausted, a small treat to look forward to after school can be something to get them through the day. A visit to the park or reading their favourite story perhaps?

8. Love note or magic banana

Write your kids a cute little love note, jokes or pop some stickers in their lunchbox for a nice surprise! For the ultimate in cool and eco-friendly, write a message on a banana with a skewer. By lunch time, it will have magically appeared.

9. Have a morning routine

A set time to get up and a routine to follow will keep that morning chaos to a minimum and keep everyone calm. Use checklists and have a central point for the all school stuff.

10. Play school

Have a fun day at home where you play ‘school’. Get up, get ready, get the uniform on and have brekky in real school time. Go outside for lunch and practice opening the new lunch boxes.

11. Crystals

Let your child choose a few crystals to carry in their pocket. Agate is calming and comforting. Calcite helps alleviate fear and can reduce stress. Aquamarine can calm nerves and help banish fear and phobias. My kids have always loved doing this!

12. Flower Essences

Alisha at Naughty Naturopath Mum has an amazing Back to School pack containing four flower essence blends for kids (and parents) to help with back to school emotions. Find them here.

What tips do you have for a stress free back to school?

15 Healthy Lunchbox Meals (and none of them are sandwiches)

January 21, 2013 · 28 Comments

15 Healthy Lunchbox Meals (and none of them are sandwiches)

What’s wrong with sandwiches?

Well……nothing!

My boy likes taking sandwiches and that’s okay. My daughter avoids gluten so we get a bit more creative with her lunches.

Here are some other things we like to put in the lunchbox!

♥ Leftovers

Most things you make for dinner can be easily turned into an awesome lunch. Cook extra meat and add it to a salad or just reheat dinner in a saucepan and place in a food thermos. Fill the thermos with boiling water first to heat it up.

♥ Zucchini slice

Zucchini slices or savoury slices are so quick and easy for kids to eat at lunch. Cut it into small squares and serve with salad veges in a container. Try my Gluten Free Zucchini Slice recipe.

♥ Cold chicken nuggets

Homemade chicken nuggets are so yummy cold! You could also try my chicken and cheese fritters recipe.

♥ Rice paper rolls

These are so refreshing on a hot summer’s day! Wrap in a damp clean cloth to keep them fresh. Check out some recipes here. I use Pandaroo brand as it doesn’t tear as easily as the other brands.

♥ Sushi

Homemade is better as store-bought can contain lots of additives. The rice is easy to make in the thermomix if you have one!

♥ Bircher Muesli

Yes, we eat this for lunch! Yum. Soak some organic oats and dried fruit overnight with your choice of milk (we like coconut milk). The next day, add chopped nuts, seeds and fresh fruit. We also like taking chia porridge.

♥ Blueberry Breakfast Slice

This is perfect for kids who aren’t that fond of savoury lunches. Add a container of yoghurt for dipping. Find the recipe here.

♥ Dip and veggie sticks

Add some of my easy seed crackers if you like. Check out this dip recipe my kids are crazy about.

♥ Salads

Pretty much anything can go into a salad to make veges more interesting for kids! Use a good quality protein like hard-boiled eggs, canned tuna or chicken breast. Leave the dressing on the side, so it’s not a soggy mess! Cut the salad veges into interesting shapes. Take a look at these recipes for inspiration.

♥ Pasta salad

My kids adore pasta salad! It’s just as simple as using leftover pasta shapes and diced veges like carrot, cucumber, capsicum and tomato. Add some cheese or protein if you like and a homemade dressing.

♥ Meatballs

Make extra next time you cook and freeze them. Pop into the lunchbox with a dipping sauce, cubes of cheese, cherry tomatoes and salad. Try these meatball recipes for inspo.

♥ Lettuce rollups

Put a selection of grated vegetables, cheese and meat in the middle of a large lettuce leaf and roll up tightly like a spring roll. Serve with a dipping sauce.

♥ Pizza or pizza scrolls

What kid doesn’t like pizza? Make extra and freeze in single portions. Try this recipe of mine, using the easiest pizza base recipe ever! Just avoid toppings with additives like ham and processed meats. Use organic tomato paste, fresh vegetables, chicken, egg, seafood, roast lamb or beef or even fresh pineapple!

♥ Cheese and Spinach Rice Cakes

Part quiche, part muffin, my savoury rice cakes are so delicious and a brilliant way to add extra vegetables. Find the recipe here.

♥ Sticky Chicken Legs

You can also make these with wings but they are a bit more tricky for busy kids to eat. Mix up some honey, tamari, garlic and ginger and marinate some organic chicken legs. Bake in a medium oven for about 20 mins until done. Cool down. Serve with salad.

I would love to hear some of your lunchbox ideas or link me up with your favourite recipes!

You might also like to read:

Six Healthy Biscuits for Lunchboxes

30 Super Healthy Lunch Box Snacks

A ‘Vegie Smugglers’ Giveaway !!

July 12, 2012 · 53 Comments

A new school term is upon us – that means it’s back to making school lunches!!!

I have so enjoyed the break, but I have also started restocking the freezer in preparation. Click here to see my blog post on how I make healthy lunches.

My lovely friend, Wendy at Vegie Smugglers is also a dab hand at healthy lunches. Wendy’s healthy ‘vegie-smuggling’ cookbooks are quite famous and very popular with families around Australia! She has been featured in Australian Healthy Living magazine and many other publications.

I was so thrilled to be one of the recipe testers on her second Vegie Smugglers cookbook. I can tell you from first hand experience how yummy the recipes are! Just simple, family-friendly meals that are healthy and contain vegetables – isn’t that what we want to cook every night??

When Wendy asked me if I was interested in becoming her first affiliate blog for Vegie Smugglers, I did not hesitate! I am more than happy to spread the word about healthy eating made simple and tasty. So, I have a little box on the side of my page now linking you up with Vegie Smugglers. Very exciting! Thank you for your support – it means I can try to cover my blogging costs and keep doing what I love!

As well as two fabulous cookbooks, Wendy also has a couple of fabulous ebooks including Craft for Non-crafty Parents (great activities for the kids you can just print off as you need) and….

The Complete Vegie Smugglers Lunchbox Planner.

It contains 40 weeks of lunchbox plans! You will find within, heaps of great recipes and tips for healthy school lunches.

This giveaway has now closed. Thank you for entering!

Wendy has kindly offered to give away THREE copies of her luncbox planner book to THREE of you! You have to be in it to win it, so here’s how to enter!

* Be a LIKER of the Vegie Smugglers Facebook page. Go here.

* Be a FOLLOWER of my blog page. Go to the top right hand side of the page and add your email address.

* COMMENT on this post what healthy food you or your kids like in their lunchboxes.

This giveaway is open to Australian residents only. Three winners will be chosen using random.org and notified by email and also on the comment section of this blog post. This giveaway runs from now until Tuesday the 17th of July at midnight.

Good luck everyone and happy lunch-making!

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